Up to £1 billion is to be made available to local authorities which succeed in reducing emergency admissions for the elderly and vulnerable by providing better out-of-hospital care, the Government has said.

The money will come from the Government's £3.8 billion Better Care Fund, which aims to bring health and care service providers closer together ensuring more people receive personalised care closer to their homes.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "Local authorities and the NHS are making excellent progress in developing plans that will give patients better, joined-up care and allow hospitals to focus on treating the people who really need to be there.

"We will continue to nurture and support the development of these plans to deliver our shared ambition so that every part of the country provides better care for patients closer to home."